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Life Tech Bets $10M on Synthetic Genomics

[Updated: 12:15 pm, 6/3/10] Life Technologies (NASDAQ: LIFE), the Carlsbad, CA-based maker of lab supplies and instruments, has invested $10 million out of an equity financing that could be worth as much as $50 million for San Diego-based Synthetic Genomics, the startup co-founded by genomics pioneer J. Craig Venter, according to a regulatory filing. Synthetic Genomics, like the name suggests, uses synthetic biology techniques to create or modify cells or genomes of different organisms. The startup is seeking to apply its technology to clean energy, clean water, food production, and vaccines. [Update: this story reflects the dollar amount invested, which wasn’t included in Life Technologies’ original statement on June 2.]